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pan and scan

[ panuhn skan ]
/ ˈpæn ən ˈskæn /

noun Television.

a technique for changing the aspect ratio of a wide-screen film, usually by selecting the significant section of each film frame and cropping the sides, so that it can be transmitted in 4:3 aspect ratio.

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having or claiming to have the power of seeing objects or actions beyond the range of natural vision.
mild or merciful in disposition or character; lenient; compassionate.
favorite; cherished.
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Compare letterbox (def. 2).

Origin of pan and scan

First recorded in 1980–85; see pan3, scan (def. 6)

OTHER WORDS FROM pan and scan

pan-and-scan, adjective

Words nearby pan and scan

Pan-American Highway, Pan-Americanism, Pan American Union, panamiga, Panamint Mountains, pan and scan, pan and tilt head, panangiitis, Pan-Arabism, panarthritis, Pan-Asian
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020